This film is part of Free
The Winter's Tale
Memorably framed by a depiction of Shakespeare himself, this is one of the most successful (and longest) of the surviving silent Shakespeare films.
1913 43 mins
Overview
The Italian adaptation from Milano Films memorably frames the story with a depiction of Shakespeare himself, beginning with the Bard reading The Winter’s tale to a group of friends and concluding with an audience applauding him.
An admirably clear interpretation, using some impressively large sets and attractive location work, the story essentially follows that of the play, but Autolycus is cut and Antigonus is thrown into a volcano rather than killed by a bear. Reissued several times under various titles, the presentation here is based on a 1919 rerelease print, complete with English intertitles.
Related
Shakespeare on Film
Hamlet Hamlet
Drama 1913 54 mins
Johnston Forbes-Roberston gives his famous performance of Hamlet in this ambitious early Shakespeare feature
Next Next
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1989 5 mins
Two virtuoso performances in one – Shakespeare's complete works presented in puppet form by a master of animation
Introduction to Silent Shakespeare Introduction to Silent Shakespeare
Short documentary 2016 9 mins
Discover why filmmakers in the silent era turned to the works of William Shakespeare for inspiration.
Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey
Inside Film 1967 16 mins
Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.
Twelfth Night Twelfth Night
Comedy 1910 11 mins
Vitagraph’s charming 1910 interpretation features some notably lively performances.
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting Q&A for Shakespeare Lives
Inside Film 2016 31 mins
The stars of Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet are reunited on stage for the first time since 1968 as part of the BFI and British Council’s Shakespeare on Film.
New
Cold Jazz Cold Jazz
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1993 18 mins
A saxophonist assembles her instrument while a woman eats oysters and removes tidal debris from her body in artist Jayne Parker's short film.
Patricia Brent - Spinster Patricia Brent - Spinster
Comedy 1919 67 mins Silent
A single girl, goaded by her fellow boarding-house residents, pretends to be engaged to a charming officer.
Trunk Conveyor Trunk Conveyor
Industry sponsored film 1954 37 mins
A promotional film documenting the design, assembly and maintenance of a conveyor system in a West Yorkshire coal mine.
Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast
Comedy 1922 39 mins Silent
The story of a young man's embarrassing encounter with a young lady's woollen undergarment at the theatre.
The Boatswain's Mate The Boatswain's Mate
Comedy 1924 30 mins
Delightful adaptation of a sailor’s yarn starring the irrepressible Florence Turner and pre-John Ford Victor McLaglen, with novel illustrated inter-titles.
Wig Wig
Drama 2019 26 mins
Arkita believes herself to be be modern, liberal and independent. An unprecedented encounter with a transgender sex worker questions her beliefs.